Utah & Arizona's National Parks Family Multi-Adventure Tour - Teens & Kids
Majestic Bryce, Zion & Grand Canyon
Can you believe it? The whimsical rock formations and spectacular views. The red, orange and yellow hues. And in this wonderland of slot canyons, pinnacles and bristlecone pine, your family gets to hike, bike, mule ride and rock climb. Watching the sun set at the surreal gorge's rim, you might just hear Dr. Seuss say: "Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one."
THIS ITINERARY: 6 days, 5 nights
ACCOMMODATIONS: Casual Hotels
Utah & Arizona
Start/End St. George
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
- Explore the Grand Canyon's rim by mule, just like the early pioneers (Just for kids)
- View astonishing rock formations, river-carved canyons and sandstone cliffs in some the country's best-known parks
- Bike among crimson rocks, desert wildflowers and scampering wildlife to Red Canyon
- Hike through an impressive slot canyon in Bryce, whose narrow walls are a feat of nature
6 Days Casual Hotels
Discover Bryce Canyon's maze of spires, windows and pinnacles | Hike within a labyrinth of hoodoos and other vivid rock formations sprouting from the floor of Queen's Garden—nowhere else on Earth are they found in such a high concentration | Take your stargazing to a whole new level in our isolated location.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this simple park lodge is mere steps from the canyon's edge.
Grown-ups bike to Red Canyon, where youngsters join them for a breezy ride on a car-free path | Next you're on your way to an immense canyon over 277 miles long and nearly 18 miles wide! | Kids make like early pioneers, exploring the Grand Canyon's rim by mule | Adults enjoy the canyon's beauty during a hike on the North Kaibab Trail | Point Imperial offers unrivaled views of the Painted Desert and Marble Canyon | Follow the Widforss Trail for an astounding view of the majestic San Francisco Peaks | Put your feet up while gazing over the canyon from the lodge's balcony.
This 1920s rustic stone-and-wood lodge is perched above the grandeur of the remote North Rim.
Watch as the high-desert cliffs of the Grand Staircase morph into vibrant shades of pink and red with the changing light | In Zion, hike to the edge of the Virgin River and peer into the Narrows, one of the most renowned slot canyons in the world, with small waterfalls and hanging gardens cascading down the rock faces | Experienced canyoneering instructors show kids the ropes while parents choose from a plethora of hiking trails | Picturesque routes abound in this hiker's paradise, from easy walks past emerald pools to unforgettable climbs providing panoramas of Zion's soaring sandstone | Cap off your trip with a spectacular bike ride along Zion's traffic-free Scenic Drive.
Guest rooms at this welcoming riverside lodge are spacious and offer views of Zion's stunning red cliffs. (pool)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
Activity Level: 1-3
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
Route notes
On this Family Trip, our biking routes follow gentle rolling terrain. Hiking routes include a few steep ascents and descents. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary and mileage is moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.
Daily Route Options
What's Included
Available Bike Options
The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.
This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork.
A proven classic, our most popular custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
Our newly redesigned titanium e-bike is a lightweight yet powerful machine unique in the world of e-bikes. It provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
This hand-built frame features Co-Motion's custom-designed cro-moly steel tubeset, powerful Avid disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra drive train, and a custom, upgraded wheelset. For experienced tandem riders.
$400 rental fee
Backroads is the only travel company to manufacture its own line of kid's bikes. While the wheels might be small, the performance is big—it's the perfect choice for kids. On our Family Trips, you'll find 20" and 24" bikes.
The Burley Kazoo trailer bike, for children up to 85 pounds, attaches to an adult bike with your child providing some of the pedal power for a real team effort! It's ideal for kids who aren't yet ready for bike touring.
Also Included
- All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Straight talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
While the accommodations on this trip reflect the natural surroundings of the national parks and provide unparalleled access to the best activities in the area, they are simpler than is typical of Backroads lodging. Many buildings date back to the turn of the century and have only been minimally renovated, in accordance with park regulations. The Lodge at Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon Lodge – North Rim have basic guest rooms that are not equipped with televisions or air-conditioning (nights are usually cool due to the high elevation); breakfasts and dinners throughout the week may lack variety and tend toward simple ingredients. Overall, the service standards can seem slow and casual when compared with the hospitality found on other Backroads trips. Please note that internet and cell phone service are extremely limited throughout the parks.
The National Park Service has many regulations on hiking. In Zion National Park they limit where you can hike when accompanied by your trip leaders. Your leaders will provide pre-walk briefings, maps and directions so you can explore certain trails on your own. In Bryce Canyon National Park, your leaders can hike with you but can't act as "interpretive guides." They'll also be unable to hike with you in Grand Canyon National Park. Throughout the trip, your leaders will give an orientation to the area's flora, fauna and terrain before your hikes. Permit restrictions also dictate that your leaders won't be able to offer route support on the optional bike ride at the Grand Canyon. Thank you for helping us cooperate with each park's regulations.
